Today's Opinions

Nearly two months ago an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. This explosion, which tragically took the lives of eleven hard working Americans, resulted in an environmental catastrophe like we have never seen before. The oil spill continues to have an enormous impact on the Gulf Coast region, its economy, and the environment.

Women veterans are eligible for the same benefits as male veterans. Comprehensive health services are available to all women veterans including primary care, specialty care, mental health care and reproductive health care services.

The following questions and answers should be helpful to the woman seeking VA healthcare assistance.

1. What services are available to women veterans? A full continuum of comprehensive health care including health promotion is available at VA medical facility convenient to you.

Even while memories of last winter’s heavy snows still linger, we face a long hot summer.

Given the state of our world today, a sense of humor is a necessary tool of survival. Summer seems to bring out the silly season in both politics and sports, the latter being something I enjoy as a diversion from more serious matters (probably another survival tool).

The geriatric liberal was at a Jewish Heritage Celebration at the White House, May 27, when she told a rabbi, on camera, that Jews should get out of Palestine and go “home” to Poland, Germany, America and elsewhere.

While Joseph Stalin might have played a part in the eventual Allied victory that was precipitated by the actions of June 6, 1944, having his bust at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford does more harm than good. Yes, Stalin was the leader of Russia, an ally to the invasion, but he was also much more — a murderer of millions as the Soviet dictator. His place in the history of World War II can be told at the Memorial without the bust. His bust at the Memorial muddies the message of why the Memorial exists.

Last week, in a rare showing of bipartisanship in Washington, the House of Representatives joined forces to pass common-sense reforms related to mortgages and housing loans. The Federal Housing Administration Reform Act, which sailed through the House nearly unanimously, will encourage responsible homeownership for those who can afford it, while rooting out and cracking down on lenders who make risky or fraudulent loans.

During last week’s congressional district work period, I spent time talking with business owners, workers, job seekers, and others about what we can do to turn our economy around. I cherish my time here because I never want to lose touch with the challenges and needs of the families who sent me to Washington to work for them. These conversations help supply me with many good ideas that I can take back to Washington.